Most people who live in a place with changing seasons experience some symptoms of depression in the winter time. There is a clinical condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder. This condition is diagnosed when the symptoms are extreme and interfere with the individual’s life. S. A. D. is believed to be caused by the absence of enough sunlight in the winter, and is often treated with light therapy.

Although S. A. D. sufferers have more intense symptoms, many of us undergo some change in mood during the winter months. We may feel laziness and an increased need for sleep. The cold makes us want to stay inside our houses. We want to eat warm, starchy, creamy foods that are more fattening than the fruits we might crave in the summertime.

These factors combine and often cause people to feel a slight depression. They feel more isolated, and feel stuck in a rut. For this reason, it is helpful to find activities that will pull you out of your rut. Here are a few ways to fight winter depression.

Take Up A New Hobby

We all have things that we’ve been meaning to learn, but have yet to make the time for. Winter would be a great time to pull out that Alvarez acoustic guitar you bought ages ago and still don’t know how to play. Buy a chord book and get started! If you’ve been meaning to learn how to sew, now is the time to do it. Make good use of the extra time you are spending at home.

Get Out Of the House

One of the problems with winter is that we feel trapped in our houses or apartments. This is generally only in our heads, though. The cold is not as terrible as we perceive it to be. Go out for a meal with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, or just get coffee. Invite your sister to join you on a quest for the perfect leather brown boots. Just getting out of your house and changing your scenery can make a huge difference.

Get Some Exercise

Exercise is one of the most useful tools in combating all types of depression. It releases endorphins, which are body chemicals that lift your mood. Although it is often too cold in the winter months to exercise outside, there are definitely some days where the temperature is mild enough for a brisk walk. You could also join a gym, or, if you have weight lifting equipment at home, begin a muscle workout routine.

Winter may seem dark, cold, and endless, but with a little bit of effort, you can definitely fight the ‘winter blahs.’ Distract yourself long enough with these activities, and suddenly, you will look up and it will be spring!